Ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from goji berries: Optimization, bioactivity, and intestinal permeability assessment

• Published in: Food research international 2024-07, Vol.188, p.114502, Article 114502
• Main Authors: Teixeira, Filipa, Silva, Ana Margarida, Sut, Stefania, Dall'Acqua, Stefano, Ramos, Oscar L., Ribeiro, Alessandra B., Ferraz, Ricardo, Delerue-Matos, Cristina, Rodrigues, Francisca
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antioxidants - isolation & purification; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Caco-2 Cells; Fruit - chemistry; Humans; Intestinal Absorption; Intestinal Barrier Function; Intestinal Mucosa - metabolism; Intestinal permeation; Lycium - chemistry; Lycium barbarum; Permeability; Phenolic compounds; Phytochemicals - isolation & purification; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Response surface methodology; Rutin - isolation & purification; Ultrasonic Waves; Ultrasonics - methods; Ultrasound-assisted extraction
• ISSN: 0963-9969; 1873-7145; 1873-7145
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114502

[Display omitted] •Lycium barbarum L. berries as a source of valuable bioactive compounds.•Response Surface Methodology enabled the optimization of the extraction process.•Phenolic acids, flavanols, and phenylamides were detected.•The extract proved to be safe for intestinal application at doses up to 500 ug/mL.•Different extract’s compounds permeated the cell monolayer. Lycium barbarum L. berries have a remarkable chemical composition and extensive biological activities, being a valuable component of health and nutraceutical practices. Nevertheless, a deep insight on the intestinal permeation of the pro-healthy bioactive compounds is urgently needed to predict the real effects on human body. This study attempted, for the first time, to optimize the Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) of goji berries using a Response Surface Methodology approach and establish the intestinal permeation of the principal pro-healthy compounds. The optimal extraction conditions were a solid:liquid ratio of 8.75 % for 56.21 min, using an intensity of 59.05 W/m2. The optimal extract displayed a remarkable antioxidant capacity, with LC/DAD-ESI-MS analysis unveiled a diverse phytochemical profile, encompassing different compounds (e.g. glu-lycibarbarspermidine F, 2-glu-kukoamine, rutin, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid). The intestinal co-culture model demonstrated that glu-lycibarbarspermidine F (isomer 2) (73.70 %), 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (52.66 %), and isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside (49.31 %) traversed the intestinal cell layer, exerting beneficial health-promoting effects.